Nicknames: The Hilarious Backstories

While coming of age in the rural south, I was always intrigued by some of the nicknames given to my neighbors. For instance, how and why did someone receive the pet name: “Pig Smile,” “Hog Birden”, and “Barracuda?”
I mulled this question over a time or two and decided to check with Wikipedia for answers. I learned that a nickname is
1. Commonly used to express affection, a form of endearment, and sometimes amusement.
2. Used as a substitute for a proper name of a familiar person.
3. Can be a shortened or modified variation of a person’s real name, for example, Bea for Beatrice.
In the pages of this book, I will share some of the more amusing nicknames(including photographs) of persons who are stuck with those names. You will be able to determine if they resemble the caricature that matches their name. I will give information as to the origin of some of the more usual names and the stories behind the personalities. The names and faces in this book are family members, acquaintances, and friends who shared my early childhood. Many, like me, are former students of the man to whom I am dedicating this book– Mr. Grady Murphy.
Prepare to laugh out loud.